This figure could be higher, according to an unpublished pilot study Dr Tan conducted for her PhD, which indicated genes may contribute up to 70 per cent.

At this stage it is still a mystery just how singing ability could be inherited.

But, according to Dr Tan, sections of chromosome called 4q may be linked to pitch accuracy. This could possibly include a gene called SNCA, which is involved in dopamine production and is also involved in songbirds' ability to sing.

"Singing is such a complex trait so we can expect it's probably influenced by multiple genes and not a single musical gene," she said.

Whatever the case it's important not to misunderstand what the identification of 'music genes' means for our musical destiny.

This means someone dealt a good genetic hand may never realise their musical potential if they are not exposed to a musical environment or given the opportunity to sing, Dr Tan said.

At the same time, someone may be able to overcome any genetic disadvantage by growing up with music, or by training and practice — although there is some evidence how likely you are to practice itself may itself be inherited.

Tone Deaf article teaser

"Perfect pitch is simply the ability to label a heard pitch with a particular note on the piano or in the western scale — to say this is an F sharp or whatever," he said.

But, stresses Professor Thompson, music is all about relationships between notes rather than individual notes.

"Researchers have found that people with perfect pitch tend to focus on individual notes instead of the more musically important relationships between notes," he said.

"This means that people with perfect pitch can sometimes have difficulty recognising musical intervals, and this difficulty might affect their ability to sing these intervals."

So, while people with perfect pitch are typically very musical, some music schools consider perfect pitch to be "a bit of a liability" said Professor Thompson.

"Possessing perfect pitch is certainly an impressive skill, but it won’t help musicians to reach their full potential."

Calling all twins …

Dr Tan and her colleagues are looking for Australian twins aged over 15 who can spare 20-30 minutes to complete an online test.

Among other things, participants will be asked to sing 'Happy Birthday'; listen to and sing back a series of single notes; and listen and sing back a series of seven-note random tunes they've never heard before.

The researchers want young and old participants too, to look at whether the relative contribution of genes and environment to our tunefulness changes as we age.

The oldest twins recruited so far for the study were born in 1928, Dr Tan said.

"It's quite incredible. I'm so encouraged by the enthusiasm that I've found."

And don't worry, you don't have to be as good as The Veronicas or other rock star twins to participate.

"We are trying to study the variability of singing ability, so we don't want just good singers," Dr Tan said, adding people need not worry about embarrassing themselves.

"This is an online study. You can just do it in the privacy of your own home."

Lee Bowman and Paula Bowman are identical twins who "started singing when we started talking." Hear their story on ABC RN's Life Matters.

In carving her own path to the top of the political game, Julie Bishop has learned to be as bold, confident and skilful as anyone in Parliament — traits all on display in a cutting final speech, writes Annabel Crabb.